Feasibility of Virtual Reality in Elderly with Dementia

Abstract

Virtual reality (VR) is a promising tool in health care, yet its application and feasibility in people with dementia is largely unexplored. The aim of our study was to explore the feasibility of VR in people with dementia in a daycare setting by means of a) a literature study and b) a pilot study using the VR game “Balloons”. Our literature study of eight primary research articles using VR in demented elderly showed that practical and personal feasibility issues were limited. Only few subjects experience cybersickness or anxiety and practical issues are rarely encountered. Our pilot study testing the game “Balloons” in ten elderly subjects visiting a daycare center underscored our literature study. The limited number of studies available, especially with respect to fully immersive set-ups, warrants further studies for successful implementation of VR in day-care.